Teaching Spanish was something I always knew I would want to do with my children someday. Even before I made the decision to homeschool, I knew that I would be introducing this foreign language to them at some point in their future. Knowing a foreign language (of any kind) can be so beneficial for so many reasons. Here are a few reasons why I’m currently teaching Spanish in our homeschool.
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It’s My Favorite Foreign Language
This is the beauty of homeschooling. I’m the teacher, so I get to call the shots around here. It is my favorite second language, so naturally teaching Spanish seemed like the easiest route to go. I took Spanish for 4 years in high school, a semester in the 8th grade, and a semester in college. Not only that but I had countless friends who were foreign exchange students over the year and they all came from some sort of Spanish speaking country. Through my classes and friendships I was not only immersed in the culture in an educational way, but also in an every day life sort of way, and I loved every second of it.
Our Spanish Speaking Family
Not only do I have many friends from all over the world who speak Spanish, but I also have family who also come from a Spanish speaking culture as well. They speak fluent English of course, but it’s so great to be able to teach the girls more about their relative’s way of life in a foreign country. It will also be pretty cool when someday they can surprise their cousins by carrying on a complete conversation only in Spanish. Here’s to hoping their lessons from mom will take them far enough.
We’re Surrounded by the Spanish Culture
The area where I live seems to have more people who speak Spanish than any other language (besides English of course). We have a good amount of other cultures here as well, but it just seems to me that I run into far more Hispanics here than anything else (maybe not, but that’s how it seems to me anyway). I think its important for my kids to learn more about the different cultures that they are surrounded by besides our own. Knowing another person’s culture can really help you understand why they do the things that they do, or think the things that they think. Having that knowledge and understanding will bring you so much further in life.
Being Bilingual Looks Good on a Resume
Being bilingual ultimately looks good on a resume. Speaking two or more languages definitely gives someone an advantage in the work world and could really open many doors for my children in their future. Even if the job they are applying for doesn’t have anything to do with being bilingual or a certain culture, just seeing that on their resume will impress an employer and could become a tie breaker in a competition for a job position.
Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids makes Teaching Spanish Easy
I was so grateful when I found Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids. Teaching Spanish isn’t an easy thing to do for some. I have quite a bit of education and I still struggled with teaching Spanish to my girls. Foreign Languages for Kids by Kids and their video lesson’s and immersion based teaching has helped make the process so easy and enjoyable for my girls. They love watching the videos and doing the workbook activities. I also love that they are not only learning the language, but the culture and geography of different Spanish speaking countries as well. If you haven’t signed up for this awesome Spanish Curriculum to use in your homeschool yet, I do highly recommend it!
I don’t know if my kids will become completely fluent in the Spanish language, but even if they don’t I do hope that they will be intrigued enough by it to explore other languages in the future. In the mean time, I’m definitely having fun teaching Spanish in our homeschool.
Tweet ThisAre you teaching Spanish in your homeschool? What about another foreign language? Tell me about it in the comments! What works or doesn’t work for you? I’d love to hear your tips!
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Amanda @ The Fundamental Home says
December 29, 2015 at 9:44 amWe taught both of our boys Spanish. It was mostly practical. I had taken it for years, and taught it in Christian School. Later, both boys picked up other languages by choice- Hebrew, Greek, and Japanese. My daughter, on the other hand, wanted to learn French. I bought her the materials and told her to have at it. It’s a work in progress 🙂
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Jeanetta Roberts says
December 29, 2015 at 3:57 pmI took a tiny bit of french in middle school and while it was fun, I just didn’t catch on or enjoy it as much as I did Spanish. Now that I’ve learned so much of this language and culture (I truly wish I was fluent but I’ve slacked off over the years). Now I find myself interested in many other cultures and langauges too. For example I’m totally into sign language right now myself. I think its a ton of fun and I hope my girls think so too 😉 Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Whitney says
January 4, 2016 at 10:46 pmYes I want to teach Spanish to my kids! I speak it decently and decided a few months ago to brush it out again. The kids were ‘helping’ me with it and then I decided to just bring them along with me. I’ve started just saying things in Spanish and getting them used to hearing it and repeating me. I will find a curriculum when they’re older! I have also been checking out Spanish picture books to read together- it’s just as much for me as for them! We live in a large Spanish speaking area and it’s just silly to not try to learn it.
I’ve loved your fly on the wall periscopes by the way! Homeschooling is very new to me and I can’t tell you how helpful/encouraging it is to see it in action. Happy to have found your blog too!
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Jeanetta Roberts says
January 5, 2016 at 10:03 pmThat’s why I love this Spanish curriculum that I’m currently using because it’s so easy for my kids to use and they love watching the videos. I’m so glad you loved my fly on the wall! Sometimes I’m like “should I bother with these?” And that helps me remember why I do them even though I don’t do them often
Jed says
January 10, 2016 at 7:12 amSuch an excellent idea. Most jobs I see, now state “Spanish preferred,” and many require it. Speaking a second language is a great skill for our kids to have. I’m not bilingual, but very much wish I was, and am trying to figure out a way to introduce a second language to our kiddos, early on.
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Jeanetta Roberts says
January 10, 2016 at 11:52 amYou should check out the science curriculum were using! Mine are learning a lot from it!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton says
January 11, 2016 at 6:43 pmLove this! I think learning a foreign language also opens up avenues in the brain to help us think in different ways, especially in children! Very cool of you. I took Spanish for 5 years and loved it. When we went to Mexico we were happy I did, we met a lot of locals and were able to have a broken conversation with them, we learned so much. In fact, there were a few locals who came to say good-bye before we left, they were honored that we cared enough to want to converse with them.
I also agree that it looks great on an application, way to give your kids a leg up in life!
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Jeanetta Roberts says
January 11, 2016 at 7:58 pmThank you so much for all of your sweet words tonight! I’m definitely trying with my kids 😉 Hope you have an awesome week girl!
Melanie @ Tree Valley Academy says
January 13, 2016 at 12:53 pmMy daughter wants to learn spanish, but I’m keeping her focused on one language at a time.
This year, my daughter’s homeschool focus has been to learn french. It’s definitely not easy, and at times probably frustrating for her as she doesn’t have the words to communicate with the french kids. In the end tho, having a 2nd language will be so worth the effort of the moment.
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